How a High-Efficiency Furnace May Fail to Reach Its Potential

January 16, 2014
By
Roth Heating & Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Share

Is it time to replace your old furnace, and you’re considering installing
a high-efficiency furnace for better comfort, lower heating bills and
a nice return on investment. If so, use this guide to better understand
why a high-performance system is only as efficient as the indoor environment
in which it’s installed.

Forced-Air Systems

Your new high-efficiency furnace is but one component of the forced-air
system within the home. The forced-air system consists of the ductwork,
thermostat controls and duct add-on components that affect comfort, efficiency
and/or indoor-air quality, such as whole-house dehumidifiers, zoning and
UV-light systems.

All of these correlative components must work together efficiently to maintain
balanced air pressure and free airflow through the living spaces and ductwork,
in order to maximize furnace performance.

Sealing Your Home’s Envelope

The performance of your high-efficiency furnace largely depends on the
heating load placed on it. In fact, a new furnace should be sized by taking
into account various factors that contribute to the heating load, such
as airtightness and insulation levels.

The best way to reduce the heating load placed on the furnace is to conduct
an energy audit to identify air leaks and insulation deficiencies in the
home’s envelope. Following the energy audit, your HVAC professional
will seal up cracks and gaps around doors and windows, the attic, basement
and exterior walls.

Once your home is sealed up, insulation upgrades are performed, if needed,
to boost levels to recommended R-values. Your buttoned-up home will keep
heat inside longer, which reduces the amount of time and fuel required
of your furnace to heat it.

Furnace Installation Checklist

To make easy work of your furnace upgrade, and to create an indoor environment
that promotes peak performance from your high-efficiency furnace, use
this simple checklist: